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VaughanT

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Everything posted by VaughanT

  1. Folks - I am really hoping that someone on this forum has had positive experiences in repairing these inverters. I have a 3KVA inverter which got zapped by an indirect lightning strike. It was in bypass mode at the time of the event but has since then refusing to operate in battery mode (the main relay turns on/off repeatedly) after which it shuts down. In bypass mode - the charger still functions and one is able to navigate through the menu items. I have the capability to do repairs - though this is somewhat difficult without manuals and applicable test equipment. The unit was purchased in 2018 and has performed flawlessly (with the exception of the float bug which i believe is a known issue). I am aware that there are many better alternatives on the market - but this solution I see is one that provides a service as it is. will appreciate any feedback and suggestions Thank you
  2. Folks - I’d be grateful for a recommendation or two on service providers that you have used for repair work done on Axpert inverters. I have one unit where it took out an external 100A fuse on the battery side. The unit was pulled out of service and taken to Rectron. After the unit spent some time there - they were unable to repair it and indicated the main board had failed. This was a 24V, 3kVA (pf - 0.8) Axpert. I have opened up the unit and cannot see any physical internal damage. Vaughan
  3. Hello - could anyone on this forum recommend a hybrid inverter that offers SNMP protocols inbuilt that can be easily interrogated by a remote monitoring system? Vaughan
  4. Folks - how would I get hold of the Modbus registers for a Deye 12kW inverter? We have an open architecture telemetry system that can accept Modbus (via RS485) and would like to see if we can integrate info from this device into it. Vaughan
  5. Ok - I set the utility charge current to 10A last night - the inverter went through its routine and it reached the bulk voltage of 28.2V on the batteries. I’m beginning to think that something may have caused the unit to inhibit the charging?
  6. The fans run at low speed which I would guess is for temperature regulation.
  7. @Coulomb - In my own experience- I’ve recently replaced batteries and could only afford to replace them with 200Ah gel units. The grid is becoming a challenge in SA and at least this is a way I can keep the batteries within a sane level of discharge. When utility returns the inverter refuses to enter bulk charging mode - it simply stops at 27.5V and decides the batteries require no further charging. Approximately 10min later the fans start up and there is some heat dissipation from the unit - but the charge indicator is steady. This happens for a good 30min after AC power was restored. in the past when it enters bulk charging mode the fans speed up and the batteries are charged for an extended period. The batteries are under float charge for extended periods but do not get the necessary bulk charging voltage
  8. Folks - has anyone been able to implement a workaround for the float bug? Ive seen a ton of posts on the problem and it bothers me that Voltronic are unwilling to fix the problem. I’ve tried using the battery eq function on the later firmware version and had some success in simulating the bulk charging voltage on batteries that were unfortunately already damaged though an area outage. Vaughan
  9. Hi folks - Rectron did a main PC board replacement on this 8kVA inverter and for some reason its not connecting to the Wi-Fi. There was no notification from RCT that the Wi-Fi credentials would have been changed. Would appreciate inputs on how to fix it Vaughan
  10. Folks - I’d appreciate some insight into what panels can be recommended and those that one should avoid purchasing. A good mate of mine is to eager to purchase panels and has been offered the JA solar units. this is evidently a mono-crystalline panel with an output of 450W. He has two systems that are to be retrofitted with panels - the inverters being RCT Infinisolar and Axpert Max II (11kVA). Both offer PV inputs with a max voltage of 450V. would appreciate inputs
  11. I have an issue with the inverter. It is operating for some friends and it mysteriously shuts down the moment the AC power disappears- instead of going into battery mode. When I test the transfer from mains to battery and vice Versa - it works fine. The problem is erratic and there are no telltale signs any ideas?
  12. Doesn’t show too much detail - here is a Recent page from Watchpower
  13. Folks - after the fuse fix the inverter has been operating normally. Today at 20:00 when AC power disappeared the inverter shut itself down (for no good reason) and had to be manually restarted. It has been in service since April 2021 at a customer and has performed flawlessly. The present batteries are 4x Narada ND200 and are connected in series. The battery selected is AGM. Would be grateful for guidance Vaughan
  14. I did an inspection of the unit on opening it up. Couldn’t see anything damaged. Also restarted in battery mode - before applying AC mains.
  15. Folks - for those who have encountered this issue before it’s a relatively easy fix. The fuse is installed is a 63LET (tag fast acting device). I contacted Rectron and found out the unit was actually still in warranty and they would provide me with a replacement fuse - which was supplied as a 100A unit. Unsure as to what caused the problem.
  16. I haven’t checked the fuse though am a bit concerned as to what would have caused it to blow. I found a post on the forum in which the device is indicated as an Eaton/Busman type 63LET available via RS components. thanks for point it out all the same did you encounter any further issues on the inverter after you replaced the fuse? Is it easy to replace?
  17. Folks - some guidance needed here. Did search earlier posts but couldn’t find anything. This 8kW unit has been running for 18 months without any issues. Recently it would turn off erratically and would need a restart. There weee no signs or alarm indicators on the unit. The unit now does not recognize the incoming AC despite it being present on the input terminals. Is this a known problem and what can be done to remedy it? Thank you in advance vaughan
  18. This is excellent feedback- the fact that you’ve invested the time and energy to and got stretch the lifespan of the batteries is commendable. My first batch of batteries was the Enertec deep cycle which I pushed to get three years out of. The float bug contributed to their demise. They would not have survived the present LoadShedding schedules in any event
  19. Just remember the Sonoff mini R2 dry contact inputs must be free of any voltage potential - as one ‘side’ of the switch input is held at 3.3VDC. Don’t connect any volts to it or you’ll blow up the unit….
  20. Budget is a little tight at this point. The Narada 200AH 12V AGM batteries work quite well ~ but do come at a price point
  21. Thank you for the info - did you fit the 10A fuses as aftermarket? I take it these are all fast-blo?
  22. After some research on the topic - I’ve considered the following information and acted accordingly; 1) it is a known problem with the 1 and 3kVA Axpert inverter and unfortunately cannot be remedied (there is no patch for the firmware available). 2) I have changed the settings of the charger from AGM to USE which already has improved the per cell voltages on the batteries. 3) I have rotated the two batteries in the system as I noted that the voltages across the terminals were not uniform. If there is any other information I I should be aware of I would be happy to receive it Vaughan
  23. The only way the system was recovered was to insert fully charged batteries into it. The batteries aa were fully discharged will have to be taken to the agents to get them kickstarted.
  24. Folks - compliments of the season to you all. Firstly this is a great resource to share experiences and to learn at the same time of improving system performances in late 2018 I Investec in a basic ‘Axpert’ 3KVA 24VDC inverter and ran the system initially with two deep cycle lead acid batteries (Enertec). I replaced these in mid 2022 with two Vision RCT VLRA AGM batteries. Admittedly there are better solutions out there but this is what my budget allowed for. I’ve done the integration myself along with providing remote status indicators via the G-ultra platform. see pictures attached. The current firmware is U1 02 71. The system does what it is expected to do though if I look at the data sheet for the batteries - the standby charging voltage indicated is 2.22V per cell which is different to the requirement stated at 2.4V per cell for cyclical usage. The AGM setting on the Axpert aligns with the standby operating requirements for the batteries. I endeavour to keep the batteries around 12v each after a two hour LoadShedding instance. It is possible to get four hours out from the batteries though this is really is only possible with doing load management which I’m achieving with a bunch of smart SONOFF’ switches. The load management I believe also helps to keep the DOD managed during two hour outage though ons also has to ask family members to respect that the system has inherent limitations. When Utility power returns - I am concerned that the inverter fails in some instances to fully recharge the batteries. In many cases I’ve seen the inverter charging the batteries over an extended period of time and the batteries do become noticeably warm which I take is normal behaviour. In other cases- the voltage is kept at 27V for about 10min after utility supply return and the inverter obviously assumes that they are charged. I’ve heard the internal fans start up - without there being any Charing activity on the inverter and/or batteries and these run for 5min a time. A dumb question- is it possible to optimize the charging of these batteries so as to extend their useful lives? Vaughan
  25. It is the HA2 - apologies for the typo. Will look out for it- have you used the HA2?
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